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EOC Review

Terms in this set (184)

1st Amendment
Freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, press, petition, & assembly
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms; militia is necessary for a free state
3rd Amendment
Housing of soldiers
4th Amendment
No unreasonable search or arrest
5th Amendment
No person tried without grand jury indictment or punished twice for same offense. Due process of law.
6th Amendment
Rights of accused in criminal cases.
7th Amendment
Trial by jury.
8th Amendment
No excessive bail or cruel punishment.
9th Amendment
People retain rights not listed in the Constitution.
10th Amendment
Power not given to the federal government is given to the people or states. (Very important for state governments.)
Bill of Rights
First Ten Amendments
13th Amendment
Abolish Slavery
15th Amendment
Gave African Americans right to vote
17th Amendment
Senators elected by direct population. (In the past, Senators were elected by state legislators.)
18th Amendment
Prohibition--no alcoholic beverages bought or sold in United States
19th Amendment
Women's Right to Vote
21st Amendment
Repealed Prohibition
22nd Amendment
2 term limit on Presidents
24th Amendment
Poll taxes cannot prevent voting rights
26th Amendment
Lowered voting age to 18 from 21
Amendment process
Changing the Constitution--
Proposing Amendment
2/3 vote of each house of Congress or national constitutional convention requested by 2/3 of state legislatures
Ratifying (approving amendment)
ratified by at least 3/4 of the state legislatures or by specially called conventions in at least 3/4 of the states
due process
5th amendment--principle stating the government must follow proper constitutional procedures in trials and in other actions it takes against individuals
Enlightenment
movement during the 1700s that spread the idea that knowledge, reason, and science could improve society; influenced American revolutionaries and founders
Natural Rights
freedoms people posses relating to life, liberty, and property
John Locke
Enlightenment thinkers--philosopher, natural rights and social contract theory
Monarchy
A system of government in which as hereditary king or queen is the legislative and executive authority; today, most monarchies are limited
Authoritarian
A government that has most of the power over the people and exercises strict control over the people's lives
Republic
a form of government in which citizens of a nation choose other citizens to rule on their behalf--same as representative democracy--began in Rome
Representative Democracy
a form of government which the citizens of a country elect other citizens to rule on their behalf--same as a republic
Rule of Law
Principle of government that says no person is above the law or entitled to special legal treatment because of their status
Social Contract Theory
An enlightenment theory that says the people in a community will give up freedoms in return for protection and to live in peace with each other. It is the basic rationale for why government exists.
Thomas Hobbes
Enlightenment thinker who wrote Leviathan and believed people were naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish; he also believed only a powerful government could keep an orderly society
The Leviathan
A book written by Thomas Hobbes that a strong central government must maintain order to protect the natural rights of people. When government violates this, people have the right to revolt.
Mayflower Compact
An agreement or contract created by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower which was a written plan for government
Democracy
Type of government in which people have a direct or indirect say in the making of laws and the selection of leaderhsip
Democratic leadership
Style of management in which the executive listens to and uses advice from others
Direct Democracy
System of government where citizens vote on or have input in all laws that are made
Limited Government
Principle of government that says government should not have too much power because it will become too powerful
Laissez Faire
policy that government should interfere as little as possible in the nation's economy; also a leadership that lets people do their jobs with little oversight or interference
Magna Carta
early English document of democracy that limited the power of the king
English Bill of Rights
Protected the rights of English citizens and became the basis for the American Bill of Rights. Identified topics such as freedom of religion and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
Popular Sovereignty
Principle of democratic government that the power of government rests in the people and that they should decide public policy.
Declaration of Independence
signed July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress, declaring the American colonies as an independent nation--written mostly by Thomas Jefferson
Articles of Confederation
First constitution in the U.S., only lasted 10 years; had a very weak national government because colonists were afraid of tyranny
Constitution
A plan, often written, that details the rules, functions, and principles of a government
inalienable rights
Rights that we are born with and cannot be taken away by a government without due process; life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness; listed in Declaration of Independence
Federalism
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
Federalists
A group of Americans who supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they believed in the balance of power that would exist between the states and national government
Anti-Federalist
Did not support the ratification of the Constitution because they preferred a weak central government. The Bill of Rights was added to help the Anti-Federalists ratify the Constitution.
Executive Branch
branch of government headed by the President, carries out the nation's laws and policies; at the state level, it is headed by the governor
Cabinet Departments
The 15 executive branch departments and agencies of the federal government responsible for carrying out laws, administering programs, and making regulations in their particular area of responsibility
Legislative Branch
branch of government that makes the laws; made up of 2 houses, senate and house of representatives
Bicameral
A two-body legislature--2 houses of Congress--created due to Great Compromise--each body has some different functions and powers than the other.
Great Compromise
Agreement of the Constitutional Convention between the large and small states that created the Senate and House of Representatives
Senate
Each state elects 2 Senators to Congress. 100 Senators in U.S. Congress. Called the upper house
House of Representatives
Each state elects a different number based on the state's population. Currently 435 members. Sometimes called the lower house.
Coining (money)
physically making money; power of Congress, carried out by Treasury (federal power)
Missouri General Assembly
The senate and house of representatives of Missouri that are responsible for making laws and checking executive power.
Judicial Branch
Branch that interprets laws and applies laws equally, fairly, and with the goal of achieving justice (the Supreme Court, and all lower courts)
Separation of Powers
an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.
Checks and Balances
a system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
ambassadors
Officials who build relations between countries and act as representatives of a nation's interests in foreign lands.
campaign
a race between candidates for elective office
Capitalism/Free Market
an economic system in which the people, not the government, decide what will be produced, how much of it will be produced, and at what price it will be sold
Census
Population count conducted every 10 years used to determine how many representatives each state will receive in the House
Citizenship
membership in a state or community which gives a person civil and political rights and obligations
civic responsibility
is the sense of personal responsibility individuals should feel to uphold their obligations as part of any community
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act made racial, religious, and sexual discrimination by employers illegal and gave the government the power to enforce all laws governing civil rights, including desegregation of schools and public places
Communism
a political system characterized by a centrally planned economy with all economic and political power resting in the hands of the central government
Constitutional
legal according to the United States Constitution
Consumer Protection
When the government makes laws or regulations with the intention of protecting those in society who use goods
dissenting opinion
The Supreme Court opinion that is written by a justice who disagreed with the majority opinion
double jeopardy
an illegal action of a government in which a person found not guilty is tried again for the crime in which they were acquitted
economy
system by which goods and services are produced and distributed to meet people's needs
election
the process by which citizens vote for people to represent them
electoral college
group of persons chosen in each state and the District of Columbia every four years who make a formal selection of the president and vice president
federal budget
a detailed financial document containing estimates of federal income and spending during the coming fiscal year
federal debt
all the money borrowed by the federal government over the years and still outstanding; the money is borrowed to pay for the budget deficits
federal deficit
when the government spends more on programs than it collects in taxes in a fiscal year
federal funding
money for state or federal programs that comes from the federal government
filibuster
A tool that the minority voting group in the senate uses to delay or obstruct a vote on a bill by making long speeches
habeas corpus
An order to produce an arrested person before a judge.
Homeland Security
Last executive department that was created whose primary responsibility is to protect America from terrorism
Impeachment
Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
interest group
a group of people with common goals who organize to influence government
interpreting
the act of reading and explaining what a law means
Judicial review
the action of the supreme court to declare a law to be either constitutional or unconstitutional
jurisdiction
the legal authority of a specific court to hear a case
jury duty
the required civic duty for a citizen to sit on a jury and make a decision in a court case
labor union
a group of workers who work together in a similar industry and who protect each other's working rights and interests
law enforcement
agencies such as the fbi, police department, sheriff's department, etc. that make sure people obey the law
lobby (lobbyist)
representative of an interest group who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making
majority rule
a principle of democratic government that when disagreements on proposed laws exist, whatever most of the people want is what the law will be (but the laws must respect all people's rights)
minority party
Any political party in a legislative body that has fewer members than the party in power
minority rights
a principle of government that says all citizens must have guaranteed protections that are beyond the power of the majority to change
necessary and proper clause
working in Article 1 that says congress can make any laws that are needed to carry out other expressed powers; for example, congress can make laws regarding the draft because the power to "raise an army" is expressed in the Constitution
nominee
a person chosen to run in an election
original jurisdiction
the legal authority of a state or federal court to hear a court case for the first time
override (a veto)
a verb that describes the action of the legislative branch to make a presidential veto null and void; it takes 2/3 of both the House and Senate to override a veto
parliamentary system
A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.
party platform
list of policy positions a party endorses and pledges its elected officials to enact
Political Action Committees (PACs)
a committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations
political parties
groups of people who organize to help elect government officials and influence government policies
primary election
Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election
regulations
the use of governmental authority to control or change some practice in the private sector; like the government regulates factory emissions
civic duties
something that citizens must do as members of society because the law says they must do it; jury duty, male selective service (draft)
reserved powers
Powers given to the state government alone
right
specific freedoms and protections guaranteed by law
state laws
laws that are created by and pertain only to an individual state
State of the Union Address
a speech given by the President in January of each year to Congress in order to describe national issues and to express the President's desires that Congress take legislative action on those issues
state referndum
the process in Missouri in which laws are placed on a ballot for the people of the state to vote on; this is as close to direct democracy as we get
third party
a party that challenges the two major parties
treaties
official and usually binding agreements made between two or more executive leaders of nations; treaties must be ratified by 2/3 vote of the senate
U.S. District Court
Courts of original jurisdiction in the U.S. court system; these courts are where federal trials take place
unalienable rights
rights that cannot be taken away from a person; life, liberty and pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence
unconstitutional
describes a law that violates the constitution and therefore must be struck down and made null and void
voting
a civic responsibility in which citizens cast a ballot to make laws and choose candidates; it is the ultimate display of popular sovereignty
popular sovereignty
consent of the people; the people's rule
Voting Rights Act of 1965
law made by congress to ensure that African American's right to vote was not infringed in states, counties, and towns that wanted to deny them this crucial right; gave federal government the power to prosecute violators
concurrent powers
powers shared by both the federal and state governments
Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education
Civil rights case that made school segregation illegal; (separate is inherently unequal) paved the way for laws that made nearly all forms of discrimination illegal; was a unanimous decision; turned over Plessy v. Ferguson
majority party
the political party in a legislative body that has more members than any other political party
Marbury v. Madison
The first supreme court decision that rules on the unconstitutionality of a federal law, thus showing its power of judicial review;
McCulloch v. Maryland
an 1819 supreme court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state governments. In deciding this case, chief justice John Marshall and his colleagues held that congress had certain implied powers in addition to the enumerated powers found in the constitution...
Miranda v. Arizona
Supreme Court Case that says authorities must read a person in custody their legal rights before they begin questioning them
Miranda Rights
5th and 6th amendment rights that are supposed to be read to a person in custody of law enforcement before questioning begins
Plessy v. Ferguson
supreme court case in the 1890s that said separate public facilities for blacks and whites was legal as long as they were equal.
U.S. v. Nixon
Supreme Court ruled that the president is not above the law.
Gideon v. Wainright
Supreme Court ruled that a fair criminal trial requires that the defendant be given a lawyer
Korematsu v. United States
Supreme Court ruled it is okay to violate people's civil rights during wartime
Gibbons v. Ogden
Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution gives the federal government sole power (supremacy) over interstate commerce
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Supreme Court ruled that African Americans cannot be U.S. citizens and that Congress has no power to forbid slavery in U.S. Territories
Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court ruled that a women has a legal right to an abortion under certain cirumstances
4 functions of government
maintain order; provide services; resolve conflicts; promote values
Why does the U.S. government use a republican form of government instead of a direct democracy?
population is too big
constitutional monarchy
monarchy and legislative both hold power
dictatorship
power is concentrated in the hands of a single person or a small group of people
totalitarian
rulers seek complete control over all aspects of citizens lives including political and social
oligarchy
a small group of people hold power
this title is given to the chief executive in a presidential form of government (Hint: we have a presidential form of government)
president
Who is head of state in a presidential form of government?
president
How is the chief executive chosen in a parliamentary form of government?
chosen by the legislature
What title is given to the chief executive in a parliamentary form of government (England)
prime minister
Unitary government
all legal power is held by the national or central government (United Kingdom, Israel, Japan)
Confederation; confederal government
independent states join together to accomplish a common goal (Canada, Russia, United Arab Emirates)
capitalism
private ownership, free market, limited government interference
communism
state owns, command, often fails
socialism
government commands, distribute wealth evenly
petition of rights
1628--limited and representative government
tyranny
absolute rule of government--ignores the rights of people
Person who influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing of the Declaration of Independence
John Lock--natural rights, unalienable rights
federalist papers (Sometimes called The Federalist)
Essays supporting the ratification of the constitution
General Assembly
Missouri's legislative body
Chief executive of Missouri
Governor; Mike Parson
presidential succession
the order of people set to replace the president
first 3 people in line for presidential succession
Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore
Number of electors in electoral college
538
number of electors needed to win presidency
270
number of Missouri electors
10
3 roles of Vice President
leader of senate (votes to break a tie); first in line to succeed the president; spokesperson for the president
how many executive departments are there within the cabinet?
15
Most cabinet members have the title of
Secretary of something or Attorney General
Department of Defense
Direct control of all branches of military
department of treasury
makes currency, mints coins, includes IRS
department of homeland security
protects U.S. homeland in case of attack or disaster
fiscal policy
government controls spending and taxing policies to influence the economy
monetary policy
the federal reserve controls money supply and interest rates to influence the economy
Total number of rep in house of representatives
435
length of term in the House
2 years
Total reps in the Senate
100
Length of term in the Senate
6 years
implied powers
necessary and proper clause or elastic clause; not specifically listed in the constitution, but give Congress the power to do what is necessary and proper for good of the people
expressed (enumerated powers)
powers listed in the constitution
judicial review
supreme court's ability to declare a law unconstitutional
ex post facto laws
A law which punishes people for a crime that was not a crime when it was committed. Congress cannot pass these laws.
title of the presiding office of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Formal leaders of the Senate, also called the President of the Senate
Vice President
Everyday leader of the Senate (when VP is not there)
President Pro Tem
Conservative Political Party
Republican
Liberal Political Party
Democrat
Voluntary responsibilities of citizens
voting
Duties of the citiizens
follow law, taxes, jury duty, census
THIS SET IS OFTEN IN FOLDERS WITH...